Simple Tips on Making Homemade Baby Food
Making first foods at home for baby is affordable, easy and simple.
Jul 1, 2009
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies should only have breast milk or formula for the first four to six months. Typically, by the time a baby is six months old, he or she is ready to start having solid foods added to their diet*. Establishing a healthy diet from the start is important; fortunately it's also easy and can be economical too, which are benefits to both busy parents and baby.
What first foods have in common is that they are all easily digestible, and include such foods as rice cereal, pears, apples, bananas, squash, yogurt and more.
Right Equipment
Getting started is easy. A blender or food processor will work well, but since these tend to require more clean up afterwards, a hand-held blender works best, especially when introducing a new food. (Pediatricians recommend waiting at least three days before introducing a new food into a baby's diet to test for allergies.) Once a baby enjoys a certain food and has shown no adverse reactions, making larger batches and storing them in the refrigerator or freezer will make the process more economical.
What to Make
Using seasonable fruits and vegetables is best, and organic is even better, as babies are more susceptible to pesticide residue than adults. Frozen produce is also a convenient option when fresh produce is not available.
Good first fruits to introduce to a baby include apples, bananas, mangos, pears and prunes. Avocados, carrots, peas, potatoes (both sweet and russet), and squash are typical first choices for vegetables. Both sets of fruits and vegetables also contain a nutritious balance of the vitamins and minerals a growing baby needs.
Making the Baby Food
Although it goes without saying, always wash hands first and wash all produce. Peel any skin and remove any pits or seeds as necessary. Since this is the first food for a baby, produce will need to be cooked thoroughly so that it is soft enough to mash together in the gums.
To get the most nutritional value out of the food, steam or bake it until tender. Boiling foods is another option, however the process of boiling tends to omit some nutrients.
To prepare fruits or vegetables, dice the produce then cook until very soft. Before grinding or pureeing, add a little liquid such as the cooking water, breast milk or formula. Then puree until the food is soupy. As a baby ages and grows more accustomed to solid food, less liquid will need to be added and the food can have more texture.
To prepare rice, simply cook the rice down until soft, preferably in distilled water. Then puree into a mush. For more of a "rice cereal" consistency, add some breast milk or formula to the cooked rice.
When a baby is ready to try meat, poultry or fish, be sure to first cut off any skin, trim any fat and check for small bones in fish. Cook as normal, preferably without any spices or seasoning for the first introduction, then puree or grind with a little added liquid.
Storing
Freshly-made food can last several days as long as it is refrigerated in an airtight container. Leftovers can also be frozen and many parents find that ice cube trays are the perfect containers to use for small meals. If a cover is not available for the ice cube tray, remove the frozen cubes and place them in a freezer bag.
And a final rule of thumb--don't be concerned if a baby does not like the first, second or tenth taste of a particular food. The key is perseverance and to keep reintroducing the food. And of course, to show baby how tasty that food really is!
*Always consult a pediatrician before introducing solids into a baby's diet.
